Chhattisgarh government is providing different categories of police protection, from Y to Z plus, to about 58 politicians perceived to be under threat from Naxalites.

As the assembly elections to first phase in Chhattisgarh warms up, Naxalites are distributing pamphlets and holding meetings deep inside the worst affected Left Wing Extremism districts in Bastar region, threatening people to boycott BJP during democratic exercise.

The Naxalites always target ruling dispensation more as they are opposed to democratic set-up.

There is also a buzz that the Red ultras have warned villagers that they’ll have their hands chopped off if they find ink on the fingers which would suggest that they voted.

Inspector General Vivekananda of Chhattisgarh Police, Bastar, told the ET that Left ultras are holding meetings in villages threatening them to stay away from the polls.

“We have seized written material during raids that show that Naxalites are threatening gullible tribals not to vote for the BJP, Congress and other parties,” he said.

Though there has been heavy deployment of security forces in the state, Naxalites would try to indulge in violence to show their presence, suspects a senior paramilitary officer posted in the Bijapur.

To ensure peaceful elections, the state police has prepared a security blue print for giving effective cover to contestants from various political parties. Each candidate contesting elections is getting two PSOs. If the threat perception is high, the candidates get enhanced security cover, said IG, Bastar.

Chhattisgarh government is providing different categories of police protection, from Y to Z plus, to about 58 politicians perceived to be under threat from Naxalites.